Evidence

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live 10-17 years less on average than non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and they are more likely to develop preventable disease, such as diabetes and heart disease.

The life expectancy difference is so significant that Australia has been ranked at the top of the world's worst life expectancy gaps according to a 2009 United Nations report.

What are we doing to address this?

One of the biggest barriers for the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community is feeling confident to identify their heritage when seeking health services. The future success of Close the Gap hinges on health services taking special care when trying to identity their patient’s heritage – the ever important question needs to be asked – ‘Are you of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent?’

The Indigenous Health Incentive Practice Incentive Payment (IHIPIP) is focussed on improving general practice access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. General practices can register for the IHIPIP to improve access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Improving access to general practice is achieved by:

List of Indigenous Health Incentive Program Providers

If you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or both and are looking for a general practice that provides culturally appropriate specific health care. Here is a list of general practices in Western Victoria that provide the Close the Gap Indigenous specific health care.

Significant dates

Western Victoria PHN acknowledges and supports the recognition of these significant dates to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.